Junior gets candid in upcoming book
JR Nation asked for it, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is delivering. Last week Earnhardt Jr. unveiled the cover of his new book, Racing To The Finish: My Story, which is a candid, first-person account of what seemed at first as a minor racing accident but ultimately forced major life-changing decisions.
The book’s official release date is Oct. 16, 2018, but fans can pre-order now.
Earnhardt Jr. unveiled the cover during his appearance on NBC Sports Network’s NASCAR America program, which he regularly appears on as part of his new role on NBC Sports’ NASCAR coverage team. The book is being published by W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson.
“Concussions are so common in sports that, for years, nobody took them seriously, myself included,” Earnhardt Jr. said of his struggle to return to the cockpit. “But in 2016 that changed for me, and it was bad — very bad. Until this book, only my doctor and family could know how bad it was. I am leaving nothing out — the fear, the struggle, the pressure to get back, the rediscovery of myself, and how the very thing that caused my pain ultimately led to happiness I
never knew possible. I also think my learnings from this experience will be hugely beneficial to people who are going through the same thing. One of those learnings is that there are more of those people than we ever realized.”
Written with longtime motorsports journalist Ryan McGee, Dale Jr.’s gripping narrative is a first-person account from one of professional sports’ most beloved figures about his journey: how his career and his injury have transformed him, how he made the decision to retire at the end of the 2017 season after 18 years behind the wheel, and what lies ahead for him in the next chapter of his life. There’s no second-guessing and no regrets, just the bare-knuckled, unvarnished truth of what happened. He’s leaving
the driver’s seat on his own terms, and he’s ready to hit the gas on his next phase of life.
*** For the 29th season, the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on Hill Racing Series will return to the Grandview Speedway and the 2018 season opener will showcase one of the most successful events, the Pioneer Pole Building 21st Annual Traffic Jam for Modifieds. The Traffic Jam will be a Big Block/358 Modified 40 lap event joined by the Sportsman and Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series Sprint Cars all taking place on Sunday night, May 27. Gates will open at 5 PM with race time set for 7:30 PM.
Plenty of prestige goes with winning this event as the list of previous winners is a who’s who of modified racing.
Brett Hearn is a fourtime winner, taking the inaugural victory in 1998. Other Traffic Jam winners
include Matt Sheppard, Jimmy Horton, Tim McCreadie, Craig VonDohren, Jeff Strunk, Alan Johnson, Frank Cozze, Rick Laubach, Danny Johnson, Tim Fuller and the youngest Traffic Jam winner, 25-yearold Brett Kressley of Orefield, PA, the 2017 defending winner of this event.
Sportsman competitors from race tracks around the region will compete in the 25-lap, $1,300 to win main. Grandview Sportsman rules are in effect and competitors are allowed to run sail panels. Full rules are available on the Grandview Speedway website.
A taste of sprint car racing will add to this Triple Thunder event with the MASS Sprint Cars taking part in a series of qualifying events leading up to their 25 lap feature.
‘Joe the Pizza Dude’ will offer up hot, delicious, and FREE pizzas to the rowdiest of race fans before
the action kicks off. Make some noise when ‘The Pizza Dude’ comes around, to earn yourself a free pizza!
Fans interested in early admission can take part in Advance Ticket Reserve. Advanced tickets are available by calling 443-5134456, where you can leave a message with your name, contact number, and the number of tickets you would like.
General Admission ticket pricing for Sunday, May 27 is $25 for adults, Children 6-11 are $10 and Kids 5 & Under are free! Pit Area admission is $35, and a license is not required.
NAPA Auto Parts continues their long run with the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series as the title sponsor joined by Pioneer Pole Buildings, Levan Machine and Truck Equipment and GALCO Business Communications.